the thing about poetry

the thing about poetry
or words that don't go all the way across
the page
but try to be more contained
is that it helps you make better choices
you see how in a few words
rather than racing thoughts
trying to claim
chapters of your life
you can shape your vision
you can represent yourself
look at it
and think
how would i like to better represent
experience
not just on the page
but in life
you can sort of
reshape your eyes
to make sure
you're looking at the trees
that you're listening to the om
song

you realize more acutely
maybe
your om song
i'm from omaha
i've actually never lived there
i'm from bellevue
but i've driven in omaha
and hung out there
and had family there
enough to feel like i'm from there

and then i've lived in lincoln for 8 years
it has been this funny place
in my head a lot
where it's just me a lot
figuring out life
while living my 20's here
and now it's the 30's
and somehow i set up some gigs
so that this little place
that has trees, too
and some restaurants
feels kind of like home
and this apartment
where i've been since halloween
is nice
i've lived here for about 10 years
and 2 days